Call Ducks
About Call Ducks
Call ducks are a small bantam breed of duck. They were originally used as "decoy" ducks, to call down wild ducks for hunters. They are now used for ornamental purposes, bred for exhibition, or as pets. They weigh around 2-3 pounds, slightly smaller than a mallard. They have round bodies, round heads, short legs, and a short bill making them appear similar to rubber ducks, imo. For small ducks, and due to their heritage, call ducks have loud voices they use very often, so may not make the best pets for those with close neighbors. In my experience they have been cheerful, trouble free, adorable, friendly pets. Call ducks are pretty hardy in all weather types, and will do well without extra heat in the winter unless you live in an extremely cold climate. They are good foragers. Calls are also pretty good at flying. They need to be kept in a covered pen, or have their wings clipped if you don't wish to allow them to fly. The "better" quality call ducks are, the more problems they seem to have with fertility and viability of eggs. Most of this is likely due to the body type, with extreme short bills, big head, round body. Mine are pet quality, and don't have as many of the same problems yet. As I work to improve them, unfortunately those problems are likely to develop.
Call ducks are a small bantam breed of duck. They were originally used as "decoy" ducks, to call down wild ducks for hunters. They are now used for ornamental purposes, bred for exhibition, or as pets. They weigh around 2-3 pounds, slightly smaller than a mallard. They have round bodies, round heads, short legs, and a short bill making them appear similar to rubber ducks, imo. For small ducks, and due to their heritage, call ducks have loud voices they use very often, so may not make the best pets for those with close neighbors. In my experience they have been cheerful, trouble free, adorable, friendly pets. Call ducks are pretty hardy in all weather types, and will do well without extra heat in the winter unless you live in an extremely cold climate. They are good foragers. Calls are also pretty good at flying. They need to be kept in a covered pen, or have their wings clipped if you don't wish to allow them to fly. The "better" quality call ducks are, the more problems they seem to have with fertility and viability of eggs. Most of this is likely due to the body type, with extreme short bills, big head, round body. Mine are pet quality, and don't have as many of the same problems yet. As I work to improve them, unfortunately those problems are likely to develop.
Mandarin Ducks
Mandarin ducks are not a domesticated breed. They require a covered pen, or need to be pinioned or have their wings clipped in order to keep them from flying away. They are highly ornamental, the drakes are the most colorful and beautiful of ducks in my opinion.